By Email:Click here to send us your ballot by mail application[See Note Above]
If you are using this method you will need to print an application, fill it out completely, sign it and scan it before submitting it to us as an attachment to your email. When completing any Ballot by Mail Application please make sure you tell us if you are requesting all the ballots for a given year (e.g., an annual ballot by mail) or one for just one specific election. You must also specify the reason you are requesting a mail ballot (age, disability, etc.). If you want to vote in a Primary Election, please make sure you tell us if you want a Democrat or Republican ballot.

If you don't live in Galveston County, but do live in Texas, and want to know where to send your application you can check the list of Early Voting Clerks on the Secretary of State's Website.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES!

Applications for a ballot-by-mail must be received in our office by no later than eleven days prior to Election Day. If the deadline falls on a weekend, the last day to submit an application is the preceding Friday. If the deadline falls on a state or federal holiday, the ballot application must be received on the preceding business day.

Applications for an annual ballot by mail may not be accepted until January 1st of the year for which you want to receive your ballot -- or 60 days prior to an election scheduled for January or February.

You may send us an application for an annual ballot-by-mail anytime during the year. If you want a ballot by mail for every election during the year please check "Annual Application" in box 6a of your application. You must be over 65 or disabled to qualify for an annual ballot-by-mail.

If you want to vote by mail in only one specific election please specify which election.

One other caution: If you want to vote in one of our Party Primary Elections you must tell us which party. If we don't know which party, we will not know which ballot to send to you!

Once the ballots have been programmed we will send yours to you within one business day.

Voters are not required to use a formal application; however, a request for a ballot by mail must be in writing and include the following:

• your name and the address at which you are registered to vote;
• the address to which the ballot is to be mailed;
• the election date and for which election you are requesting a ballot (for a primary election, you must state the political party’s primary in which you wish to vote);
• the reason you are eligible to vote by mail (to be eligible to vote early due to a planned absence from the county, your application must state an address out-of-county to have your ballot mailed) and,
• your signature (or a witness’ signature if you cannot sign your name).

In most cases, you must send your application for a ballot to us by mail, common/contract carrier, or email. However, if you wish to vote by mail because of a planned absence, you may apply in person before the first day of early voting. If you are outside Galveston County, you may FAX your application to us at (409) 765-3249. [Please put Attn: Ballots by Mail on the cover sheet]

How soon must I return the ballot?

We must physically receive your marked ballot by the close of polls on Election Day (7 p.m.). If you are mailing your ballot from outside the United States, we must receive your ballot by our last mail delivery on the fifth day after Election Day. But remember, soooner is always better than later. If you are voting by mail, please don't wait until the last minute.

Additionally, a voter may hand deliver his or her ballot to us while the polls are open on Election Day. Please note that only the actual voter may surrender his or her marked absentee ballot to us. So we cannot accept a hand delivered marked ballot from a spouse or friend; you must come in person. These ballots should be delivered to the Elections Division on the third floor of the County Justice Center (600 59th Street, Galveston, TX).

For more information on ballots by mail and FPCAs, call us at (409) 770-5108 or write us at: